Step-by-step: How to make seed balls

Andrea Bellamy |

I spent the morning making seed balls as a promo for Sugar Snaps and Strawberries. The plan is to give them out at various events as little vegetal thank yous. Because the book is all about edibles, I used veggie, herb, and edible flower seeds rather than my usual crimson clover/wildflower mix.

I chose cool-season edibles that can be sown in March and April, since that’s just after many of the events are being held. I also chose things that are relatively easy to grow, don’t require staking, and don’t need loose soil to thrive (since you don’t often cultivate the soil before tossing a seed ball): ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Russian Red’ kales, ‘Red Sails’ and ‘Esmeralda’ lettuces, ‘Sugar Loaf’ endive, arugula, ‘Kincho’ scallions, ‘Bright Lights’ Swiss chard, chives, dill, and edible flowers calendula and nasturtium.

I mixed all the seeds together until I had about one cup’s worth. The recipe I follow uses “parts” so you can adapt it to your needs. This time around, I used one cup to equal one part.

Step one: measure out three parts of dry compost or soil. This provides a growing medium for your seeds.

Step two: measure out five parts of dry powdered clay. Once mixed with water, the clay will hold the seed balls together.

Step two continued… I use Red Art clay, which I get from a pottery supply store. It’s cheap, food safe, and feels great to work with.

Step three: Add one part seed. As you can see, I originally included pea seeds in the mix (‘Paladio’ peas; they grow just 18″/45cm tall), but ended up picking them out when I realized they were too large and would cause the seed balls to split when drying. Learn from me: stick to smaller seeds!

Step four: Add one to two parts water, and combine. You want the mixture to be moist, but not really wet. You can add water as you go. It’s not an exact science.

Step five: Roll the seed ball mix into balls 1-2 in. (2.5-5cm) in diameter. Be prepared to get messy!

Step six: Set aside to dry (I use cookie sheets) for a few days before storing or using.

Seed balls are great for reclaiming derelict areas with thin or poor soil, making them ideal tools for guerrilla gardening. I find them especially useful for tossing into empty or neglected lots. Best thrown just before a rainy spell to ensure germination, I’ve found early spring to be the best time for seed ball success.

totally flagging these instructions. We live in a little urban neighborhood that is perfect for seed balls! We also just plant sunflower seeds wherever we find a little bit of soil, but this would be even more fun! thanks for sharing.

I watched a fantastic video on how to make seed bombs by a group of Guerrilla Gardeners. Regardless of if they are for your own beds, or an urban landscape, they are a great way to get seeds to an awkward location. I totally want to make these! Thanks for the recipe!

Awesome, thanks for the details. It’s funny, because I associate seedballs with radical gardeners trying to create something alternative and beautiful at anti-globalization protests (which they got arrested for, by the way!). Funny how people can spray carcinogenic pesticides and plant biodiversity-killing monocrops but planting seeds is decreed too subversive….!
Sweet photos, too.

I’m looking forward to doing this with the kids this year. There’s a meadow at the end of our street that needs some colour. I’m going to get some indigenous wildflower seeds and we’re going to toss seed bombs everywhere!

I am going to make these wonderful little balls with my 2 1/2 yr old grand-daughter, I want to get her to start early and learn how to garden and see how to start with a seed and watch the magic as it turns into a plant. Thank you so much for sharing!

That is fabulous!! I am surely going to try that with plants that will reproduce themselves (which is officially illegal, stupid law!). It makes a very nice statement – and presents to people and nature of course – and my girls will love to through these around in our garden (and elsewhere). Thanks you!

Thanks for the tutorial. Lovely photos and descriptions. I’m a practicing herbalist in Vancouver, WA and have wanted to give herb and flower seeds to my customers to encourage gardening since it is a healthy habit. Best of luck w/ your book, too!

Well written! I learned how to make seed balls and also decided to write a blog about it but yours is very well written. They certainly are fun to make and grow! I experimented with basil and rosemary seeds and was pleasantly surprised. I hope you don’t mind if I do a link back:)

URGENT REQUEST: Big event this weekend in Toronto, Canada.
Making seed bombs with your recipe.
THE BIG QUESTION: Can they be tossed when just made and clay is still wet, or do they need to be dried, then tossed to successfully sprout?
Please advise.
Many thanks!!!

These are really neat, I saw a similar idea in an organic gardening magazine but that used biodegradable pet waste bags…which are expensive. I like this idea much better, especially the getting messy part! Every year my family tries to find a neat way to celebrate Earth Day – I think these are PERFECT!

I use red art clay in my pottery high fire glaze making. In Texas its about 32.00 for a 40 pound sack. Not bad for my needs. it goes a long way. I cant wait to try this out. Thanks a bunch for sharing. :-)

Andrea this is pure genious, I may have already posted before with my intent to make these. But we’re actually going to buy the supplies today and get them ready for our Earth Day celebration. I can’t wait to beautify our neighborhood!

Es gibt immer weniger Blumen und immer mehr Beton. Tolle Idee die hoffentlich viele Nachahmer findet! There are fewer and fewer flowers and more and more concrete. Great idea which I hope will find many imitators!